Bring windows from outside the USA?
I am building a new home in PA. I’ve been looking for windows. I reached out to all the name-brand window manufacturers in this area and Canada. I have a lot of windows. Got quotes for 2-pane windows which have run $45,000 – 65,000. The 3-pane windows quotes have run $60,000- 70,000.
I was talking to my cousin who lives overseas, in eastern Europe, in a cold part of the country. He just built a house with triple-pane windows. So I reached out there to a local manufacturer, and their quote for uPVC windows (with Rehau frames) was under $20,000.
My question: Is it legal to use these windows in the USA? And what do I need to do or get so that the windows would pass local code inspection?
Can anyone give any ideas?
Thank you.
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Replies
Boris,
Yes, it is legal to import European windows to the U.S. But it isn't easy.
You will probably end up paying for an entire container; that's why U.S. window distributors who can fill a shipping container with 4 or 6 house's worth of windows have lower shipping costs than you will.
You can expect damage, so you will need insurance. A friend of mine who just opened a jewelry store in New Hampshire ordered all his display cases from China. (Great price!) The manufacturer offered to arrange shipping, and the shipping was insured. The display cases arrived broken with shattered glass. It turned out that the insurance documents were all fraudulent -- just fake documents made on a copy machine in China.
If I were you, I would buy Intus windows -- manufactured in Lithuania, but distributed by an American company that handles the shipping.
martin thank you for response, I ship stuff all over world so for me to arrange shipping and real insurance i not a problem I will control that process, i can have some one oversea the packaging and container loading
bigger question once I bring them in what is required so that these windows pass township building codes
is it just a piece of paper from the manufacturer in English or something more
FYI intus price was in the mid $50,000, the same window including delivery and customs to my door will cost me $25,000
Boris,
In the U.S., building code requirements (and code enforcement) varies greatly from one jurisdiction to another. To find out whether your local building department needs any papers to document the specifications of your windows, you need to contact your local building department. Just ask them.